StarTech CK4-D202C NIAP-Certified Secure 2-Port Dual-Monitor DVI KVM Switch

Overview

The StarTech CK4-D202C is a NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Devices (PSD) Version 4.0-certified secure KVM switch designed for two-computer, dual-monitor workstations where data isolation between different classification levels is a hard requirement. Unlike commodity KVM switches that share USB data paths and leave system memory vulnerable to cross-contamination, the CK4-D202C enforces strict hardware-level separation between connected computers — making it the right choice for government, defense, intelligence, and regulated enterprise environments where a software-defined firewall between workstations simply isn't enough.

If you manage a secure KVM switch deployment across a sensitive operations environment, the CK4-D202C handles two computers simultaneously on two DVI-I displays, so operators can run dual-classification workspaces on a single desk without a second keyboard, mouse, or monitor pair. Supporting up to a 19.7 ft cable run, it accommodates rack-to-desk distances common in secure operations centers without signal degradation.

Key Features

• NIAP PSD 4.0 Certification: The CK4-D202C meets the Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Devices Version 4.0 — the current baseline standard for secure KVM switches used in U.S. government and classified environments. This isn't a marketing claim; it's a procurement requirement for many government contracts. If your purchasing office or program security officer specifies NIAP PSD 4.0, this switch qualifies. If they specify an older version, confirm with your contracting officer before ordering.
• Dual-Monitor DVI-I Support (2 Console + 4 Host Video Ports): Two DVI-I console video ports connect to your monitors, while four DVI-I host ports connect both displays for each of the two computers. DVI-I supports both digital and analog DVI signals, giving you compatibility with legacy workstation GPU outputs that might not have DisplayPort. This matters in older government workstation refresh cycles where DVI remains common.
• USB 2.0 Console Interface (3x Type-A): Three USB 2.0 Type-A ports on the console side handle keyboard, mouse, and an optional USB peripheral — all isolated at the hardware level between switched computers. The four USB 2.0 Type-B host connectors (one per computer display path) complete the connection to the host PCs. USB 2.0 bandwidth is sufficient for HID devices at these speeds; this is not a switch for USB storage or high-bandwidth peripherals, which is intentional from a security standpoint.
• Stereo Audio Switching (2 Channels): One 3.5mm stereo female console audio port connects to speakers or a headset, while two 3.5mm stereo female host audio ports connect to each computer's audio output. Audio switches with the active computer, so operators get the correct audio context without manually swapping cables — relevant in monitoring environments where audio alerts are operationally significant.
• Hardware-Level Data Path Isolation: The CK4-D202C uses hardware-enforced, unidirectional data flow control between computers — a design requirement of NIAP PSD 4.0 certification. This prevents one connected computer from reading keyboard input intended for the other, and blocks cross-contamination through the shared peripheral bus. It is fundamentally different from software-based KVM solutions.
• 19.7 ft Maximum Cable Length: Supports cable runs up to 19.7 ft (6m) between the switch and host computers — practical for secure workstation installations where the KVM sits on a desk but the computers are rack-mounted in a nearby equipment closet or under-desk enclosure. Beyond this distance, signal integrity on DVI is not guaranteed.
• Compact Chassis (8.8 x 6.7 x 2.6 in, 3.9 lb): At under 4 lb and roughly the footprint of a standard hardcover book, the CK4-D202C sits on a desk without dominating the workspace. The compact form factor is deliberate for SCIF and operations center environments where desk real estate is managed tightly.
• Operating Range 0°C to 40°C: Rated for standard indoor office environments. This is not a ruggedized or extended-temperature device — plan accordingly if deploying in poorly climate-controlled server rooms or forward operating environments where ambient temperatures routinely exceed 40°C.
• 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty: The CK4-D202C carries a 3-year manufacturer warranty, which aligns with typical government equipment refresh cycles and provides a credible support baseline for procurement documentation.

Integration and Compatibility

The CK4-D202C connects to any DVI-I-equipped workstation over USB 2.0 — no proprietary drivers, no software agent on the host machines. This is by design: NIAP PSD 4.0 prohibits device firmware or software that could create a data channel between the switch's connected computers. The host computers see it as a standard HID keyboard and mouse, which means it integrates cleanly with Windows, Linux, and classified OS environments without additional configuration.

If your workstations use DisplayPort or HDMI outputs, you will need active DVI adapters on each host GPU — passive adapters may not work reliably at DVI-I resolutions. Confirm your GPU's maximum DVI-I resolution output before ordering, particularly on high-DPI displays. For environments requiring NIAP-certified secure KVM switches with DisplayPort or HDMI console outputs, review other models in the StarTech secure KVM lineup, as the CK4-D202C is specifically a DVI platform.

Cable length planning matters: the 19.7 ft maximum applies to each individual cable segment (host to switch), not total run length. For rack-mounted workstation deployments, measure each run individually and use high-quality DVI cables — cheap cables will fail before the distance limit in practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the StarTech CK4-D202C NIAP certified, and which version of the Protection Profile does it meet?

A: Yes. The CK4-D202C is certified to NIAP Protection Profile for Peripheral Sharing Devices (PSD) Version 4.0, which is the current standard required for classified and government secure KVM deployments in the United States.

Q: How many computers and monitors does the CK4-D202C support?

A: The CK4-D202C supports 2 computers with dual-monitor output — each computer can drive 2 DVI-I displays simultaneously, so an operator sees both screens switch together when toggling between computers.

Q: Does the CK4-D202C require any software or drivers installed on the host computers?

A: No software or drivers are required on connected computers. The switch operates at the hardware level and presents as a standard USB HID device to each host. This is a NIAP PSD 4.0 design requirement — no software agent is permitted that could create a data channel between hosts.

Q: What is the maximum cable length between the CK4-D202C and connected computers?

A: The maximum supported cable length is 19.7 ft (6 meters) per cable segment between the switch and each host computer.

Q: What video connector type does the CK4-D202C use, and are adapters required for DisplayPort or HDMI workstations?

A: The CK4-D202C uses DVI-I connectors on both the console and host sides. If your workstations output DisplayPort or HDMI, you will need active adapter cables — passive adapters may not deliver reliable signal. Verify your GPU's DVI-I output capability before purchasing adapters.

Q: What is the warranty on the CK4-D202C?

A: The CK4-D202C carries a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

James Everett

The CK4-D202C is purpose-built for one specific problem: giving an operator control of two computers at different classification levels on a single desk without creating a hardware data path between them. The NIAP PSD 4.0 certification isn't a checkbox — it's the procurement entry ticket for most classified U.S. government and DoD workstation deployments, and the CK4-D202C meets it. That said, buyers who haven't read the PSD 4.0 spec closely sometimes assume NIAP-certified means unlimited peripheral support. It doesn't. The hardware isolation requirement is exactly why USB storage and high-bandwidth peripherals are deliberately excluded from the console port design.

Technical Highlights:

• NIAP PSD 4.0 Certification: Hardware-enforced unidirectional data flow between the two host computers — this is a certification requirement, not a firmware feature. Meets current U.S. government procurement specifications for secure KVM use in classified environments.
• Dual DVI-I Video Architecture (4 Host + 2 Console Ports): Both monitors switch simultaneously when toggling between computers, preserving the dual-screen workspace context. DVI-I compatibility covers both digital and legacy analog DVI GPU outputs, which is relevant in government workstation fleets mid-refresh cycle.
• USB 2.0 HID Interface (3x Type-A Console, 4x Type-B Host): Presents as a standard HID device to each host — no drivers, no agent software on the connected computers. The 19.7 ft maximum cable length per segment supports rack-to-desk configurations in operations center layouts.

Deployment Considerations:

• DVI-I is the only video interface on this switch. If your facility is mid-migration to DisplayPort workstations, verify active adapter availability for your specific GPU models before committing to this platform — passive DVI adapters are unreliable at higher DVI resolutions.
• The operating temperature ceiling is 40°C. This is a standard office-class rating — not suitable for forward operating bases, server rooms without adequate cooling, or any environment where ambient temperatures regularly approach or exceed that threshold.

The CK4-D202C is the right tool for a two-person or single-operator SCIF workstation where the operator needs simultaneous access to a classified and unclassified computer on two DVI displays — a very common configuration in intelligence analysis, cleared defense contractor, and secure network operations center environments where NIAP PSD 4.0 is a contractual requirement.